How to Remove Wrinkles from Batting

Solutions That Don’t Require Ironing!

Have you ever unrolled a package of batting only to discover that there are stubborn creases in it? Faint wrinkles are generally fine, but stubborn, deep creases may get sewn into the quilting and can also show through the top. Not good. You want the batting as smooth as possible before layering your quilt.

Many times creases will smooth out on their own if you simply unroll the batting and spread it out for a day or two (drape a bed sized batting over a bed). Smooth it with your hands whenever you walk by to encourage it to relax and give up the wrinkles. However, stubborn creases may need extra attention.

A quick and simple solution is to throw the batting in the dryer with a damp washcloth (or spray the creases with water). Let it tumble on low for 5 – 10 minutes, then spread the batting out, smooth it flat and let it rest for a few hours. There may still be some faint creases but those are generally OK.

Having said that, butterflywing from Quilting Board shares this experience:

“I only once put it in the dryer with a damp cloth. It came out all pilly. Everything that touched it got bits all over. Now I lay it (on the) carpeting and sprtiz until it behaves. It takes a while. If there are small areas that won’t lay flat I (gasp) stomp it with my socks on!”

The fiber content and quality of the batting will have an effect on how much the batting creases and how hard the creases are to get out. If you’re unsure how your batting will react to the dryer, try running a small piece or strip through the dryer first.

Keep in mind that a home dryer may be too small to smooth out a king sized batting. Consider one of the other options mentioned here or take it to the large dryers at the laundromat (choose one with a low or no heat setting).

Another solution is to hang the batting so wrinkles fall out. Put the end with the deepest creases up so the weight of the batting pulls the wrinkles out. A spritz of water helps too. A banister or tall bookcase can work for this.

Many quilters are tempted to iron batting but be very careful. If the batting contains any polyester at all (and many cotton and other natural fiber battings do contain some), it’s likely to melt under a hot iron. Use a cool iron or skip the ironing and use the dryer method instead (with a low, not hot, setting).

Another option is to spray the batting with a wrinkle releaser (there are several to choose from here) instead of ironing it or putting it in the dryer. This works with any fiber type but is especially useful for batting that contains poly.

For the most polished finished quilt, make sure the batting smooths out nicely against the backing and is without deep creases. One or more of these solutions should help, if needed.

Image Sources:

The photo at the top of the page is from the “Removing Wrinkles” article on Quilt Fabrication.

The second photo is from Southern Fabrics Blog.